Fifteen Maoists, Including Top Leader with ₹1 Crore Bounty, Killed in Major Encounter in Jharkhand’s Saranda Forest

Chaibasa (Jharkhand), Jan 2026 : In one of the biggest anti-Maoist operations of 2026, at least 15 Maoists, including senior leader Patiram Manjhi alias Anal Da, were killed in a fierce encounter with security forces in the Saranda forest of Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district on Thursday, officials confirmed. Anal Da, who carried a bounty of ₹1 crore, was considered one of the most influential strategists of the outlawed Maoist organisation.

Confirming the development, Jharkhand Police Inspector General (Operations) Michaelraj S. said the encounter resulted in heavy losses for the Maoists and that a large-scale search and combing operation is still underway in the forested area. Several bodies of Maoists have been recovered along with sophisticated weapons, ammunition and other daily-use items.

Anal Da, a native of Giridih district, had been associated with the Maoist movement for over two decades and was regarded as a key operational brain behind several violent activities in the state. His influence extended across multiple districts, including Giridih, Bokaro, Hazaribagh, Khunti, Seraikela-Kharsawan and West Singhbhum. Police officials said he played a decisive role in strengthening Maoist networks in the Saranda and Kolhan regions, which have long been considered insurgent strongholds.

According to the police, dozens of serious criminal cases were registered against Anal Da, including attacks on security personnel, IED blasts, extortion, intimidation of contractors and other acts of violence aimed at disrupting development activities in the region.

The encounter began in the early hours of Thursday near Kumbhdih village under the Chotanagra police station limits. Security forces launched a joint operation following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of armed Maoists in the area. The Maoists, who were lying in wait, opened indiscriminate fire on the advancing forces, prompting a strong retaliation.

Security personnel tactically surrounded the Maoists, leading to an intense exchange of fire that lasted several hours. Eventually, the forces gained the upper hand, resulting in the elimination of multiple Maoist cadres. Kolhan Division DIG Anuranjan Kispotta said the operation is continuing and detailed information will be shared once it concludes.

Senior police officials stated that the entire area has been cordoned off and additional forces have been deployed to prevent any escape. High-ranking police and security officers are closely monitoring the operation on the ground.

The operation follows a recent high-level review meeting chaired by CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh in Chaibasa, where strategies were finalised for decisive action against Maoist groups. Subsequently, security forces from Jharkhand and neighbouring Odisha were deployed in strength across the Saranda region.

The Saranda forest has witnessed intensified anti-Maoist operations in recent months. In June 2025, four Maoists were killed in encounters in the Tonto and Goilkera areas. Officials described Thursday’s encounter as a major breakthrough and a significant success for security forces in their ongoing efforts to curb left-wing extremism in the region.